Turkey and Israel Locked in Dispute

Turkey Refuses US Mediation in Crisis with Israel

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu continues to refuse the US offer to intervene in the Israel crisis over the deadly 2010 flotilla raid stating “We do not need mediation … for Israel in any way.” In a televised press conference in the central province of Konya, he said, “There is no such situation in which mediation is needed. The demands of Turkey are clear.”

Although Israel was once a former ally of Turkey, their relationship has deteriorated since the events in 2010 when the Israeli navy stormed a convoy of six ships which were trying to reach the Gaza Strip resulting in the death of nine people. Since then, Turkey has expelled Israeli diplomats, frozen military ties, and ended defense trade deals. In light of the rift between the two countries, Obama’s offer to assist are being turned down.

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